Jamil Antone Abunassar

January 5th, 1940 – February 9th, 2024

Jamil Antone Abunassar peacefully passed away at the age of 84, surrounded by his loving family in the early hours of February 9th, 2024.

Born on January 5th, 1940, in Nazareth, Palestine, to Antone and Shafika Abunassar, Jamil was the youngest of six brothers, all of whom have preceded him in death. He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Adrienne, his two sons Antone (Tony) (Tony's wife Christina), and Elias Abunassar, sons of Pal Abunassar, Jamil's first wife who passed in 2001. Additionally, Jamil is survived by six grandchildren: Ethan, Ellie, Aiden, Eli, Sophia, Knox and the first great grandchild and newest edition to the family, Sabena.

Jamil's Early Years

Growing up in Nazareth, Jamil attended Terra Sancta School, a Franciscan (Catholic) institution situated on the sacred grounds of The Church of Annunciation. It was here that he formed enduring friendships with classmates from around the world. Fond memories of his childhood were often recounted, filled with tales of bike rides and youthful escapades with friends such as Rodolpho, Pendelis, William, Johnny, Ziad, Fouzi, Hatem, Kamel, Maroun and many others. Following his schooling, Jamil taught English for several years and was also a dedicated Boy Scout in Palestine.

Jamil's Journey to the United States

At the age of 21, Jamil embarked on a journey to the United States, arriving with nothing more than a suitcase. His arrival in New Jersey marked the beginning of a new chapter, where he pursued his education at Howard University in Washington, D.C. One of his most cherished memories was his awe-inspiring ride through the tunnel connecting Jersey & New York along with his first glimpse of New York City's skyline.

Jamil's Professional Career

Jamil began his professional career in management at Dart Drug, specializing in accounting and inventory control. He later served as the General Manager and Leasing Manager at East West Lincoln Mercury until 1980. Subsequently, he founded Custom Leasing Corporation, providing innovative leasing solutions to businesses across various industries.

Jamil's Loves and Passions

Jamil was the ultimate host and was very accomplished in the kitchen. He enjoyed cooking and creating fabulous meals, entertaining small and large groups of friends and family while always making each guest feel special. Two of the main passions were his annual Thanksgiving celebrations hosting anywhere from 20 – 45 people and the annual AV Restaurant Luncheon parties which included clients, friends and family.

An ardent supporter of the Washington Redskins and a devoted soccer fan, Jamil spent countless hours shuttling his sons to soccer practices, games, and tournaments along the East Coast. His passion for the game often saw him animatedly engaging with referees from the sidelines – some often ended by watching him being asked to leave the field.

Beyond sports, Jamil was an enthusiastic world traveler, fluent in four languages—Arabic, Hebrew, French, and English. He embarked on numerous adventures to destinations such as France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, England, Thailand, Venezuela, and the Caribbean Islands. Among his most cherished experiences later in life were sailing through the Caribbean Islands on chartered sail boats, where he relished the tranquility of disconnected living, no razors allowed on board, and the challenge and art of getting sunsets perfectly timed to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

Retirement and Legacy

In his later years, Jamil retired to Palm City, Florida, a place he adored and often visited before making it his permanent home. Palm City became a sanctuary for friends, family, grandchildren, and anyone seeking solace, good company, and a break from the bustle of life.

Described by friends and family as a man who touched countless hearts, Jamil will be remembered fondly for his warmth, generosity, and indomitable spirit. His legacy lives on in the lives he enriched and the memories he created.

Two memorial celebrations will be held: one in Palm City, Florida and another in Edgewater, Maryland. The celebration in Florida will be at the Forest Hills Funeral Home located at 2001 Murphy Road, Palm City, Florida on Friday, February 23, 2024. The memorial gathering will begin at 11:30 am followed by a memorial service at 12:00 pm. The second celebration will be held at Kalas Funeral Home located at 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on April 27, 2024, at 12:00 pm; more details will follow regarding this gathering.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jamil to the following:

Treasure Coast Hospice

https://treasurehealth.org/292/Donate

1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart FL 34997

Or

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

https://alzfdn.org/donate/

322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001